PeepZ Cleat Covers

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a portable protective sheath specially designed to cover the bottoms and sides of athletic cleats. The PeepZ comprises a durable rubber or plastic soled footpad accentuated with empressed grooves that facilitate traction. The top surface is configured for applying the sheath device to the front half of a cleated sports shoe to cover the front half of the sole and the sides of the toe portion of the shoe.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/465,556 filed Mar. 21,2011, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “PeePz Cleat Covers.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of athletic sporting goods,and more specifically to the field of athletic shoes with cleated soles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for athletic shoe cleatcovers. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,189 to Ron D. Johnson describes a removable bottomcovering for spiked athletic shoes particularly golf shoes. A flexiblesole member has a toe section and a heel section with a plurality ofmagnetic attaching members for attaching to metallic spikes on thebottom of an athletic shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,794 to Stephen Adelstein and Terence D. Kindledescribes a protector worn over a cleated shoe comprised of a twolayered sole with a deformable upper layer and a non-deformable lowerlayer. Right and left upper sections wrap around the top side of thecleated shoe, one upper section partially overlaying the other sectionand mutually attaching by hook and loop fasteners.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,398 to Boyd G. Goodwin and Carol A. Goodwindescribes a protector for encasing cleats and comprising a substantiallyflat body portion disposed adjacent the outer surface of the shoe sole.The body portion of the cleat is provided with a plurality oftransversely extending, longitudinally spaced channels for encasing thecleats. These channels are provided with strengthened and smooth outersurfaces for engaging the surface of underfoot terrain.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective sheathdesigned to be worn over athletic shoe cleats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a protective sheath attached to thecleated athletic shoe pointing illustrating the attaching strap and thevelcro™ closure on the top.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a protective sheath attached to the cleatedathletic shoe.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the athletic shoe sliding into a protectivesheath.

FIG. 4 shows a inside perspective view of a protective sheath with theattachment strap threaded through the side walls of the sheath.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, “cleats” refers to cleats, spikes and other protrusionsused on the bottoms of shoes for field sports such as football, soccer,field hockey, track and field events, for example.

Cleats are a type of shoe designed especially for sports played on grassor dirt such as baseball, football or soccer. The shoes generally havelarge spiked studs on the bottom to assist in gripping the surface, topreventing sliding, and to assisting in making rapid direction changes.The spiked stud is often called a cleat. As these shoes are primarilymade for use on soft dirt or grass, the cleats tend to maintain theirdurability and provide extended use even when playing rough contactsports. Walking on harder surfaces with cleats can wear down the cleatsand compromise their effectiveness, resulting in worn and dull spikes.To avoid walking on the cleats, a wearer often walks on the side of theshoes, resulting in worn and frayed footwear. Walking from a playingfield to other surfaces also transfers dirt, grass and debris to theother surfaces. Car interiors, hardwood floors and carpets becomeindelibly marred with trails of clay, sand and weed clumps that requiredaunting and time consuming cleaning.

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the PeepZ, is aportable protective sheath specially designed to cover the bottoms andsides of athletic cleats. The PeepZ comprises a durable rubber orplastic soled footpad accentuated with empressed grooves that facilitatetraction. The top surface is configured for applying the sheath deviceto the front half of a cleated sports shoe to cover the front half ofthe sole and the sides of the toe portion of the shoe. The top of theunit is manufactured of a stretchy material such as Lycra or Spandex toallow for donning and removing the Peeps protector.

In an embodiment, a strap to hold the sheath in place passes throughslits in opposite sides of the sheath and is fastened over the top ofthe toe of the shoe with fastening means such as hook and loop fastener,for example.

Sold in pairs, the Peepz is offered in a one size fits all configurationor made available in custom sizes to accommodate any user. The presentinvention can be manufactured in a vast array of colors and feature thelogos and designs of various sporting teams and organizations. Simple inconcept and application, a user transports a pair of the Peepz in anathletic bag. Donning the cleats before hitting the field, the usersimply slides each foot into the footpad of the Peepz, so that thespikes are flush with the pad surface. The user walks to the field forpractice or play. Before hitting the dirt or grass, the user removes thePeepz from the shoes, leaving them at the edge of the playing area.After a game or practice, the athlete dons the protective pads again towalk to the car, leaving them on until reaching home. Hand washable,these innovative units can withstand years of continued use.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and variousmodifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skillin the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings and the appended claims.

1. A protective sheath device for covering the front half of cleatedsoles on athletic shoes, comprising a durable rubber or plastic soledfootpad having a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the bottomsurface is empressed with grooves that facilitate traction, and whereinthe top surface is configured for applying the sheath device to thefront half of a cleated sports shoe to cover the front half of the soleand the sides of the toe portion of the shoe.
 2. The protective sheathdevice of claim 1 wherein the top surface further comprises a stretchymaterial such as Lycra or Spandex to allow for donning and removing thedevice.
 3. The protective sheath device of claim 1 further comprising astrap to hold the sheath in place, wherein the strap passes throughslits in opposite sides of the sheath and is fastened over the top ofthe toe of the shoe with fastening means.
 4. The protective sheathdevice of claim 3 wherein the fastening means is hook and loop fastener.5. The protective sheath device of claim 3, wherein the device is soldin pairs.
 6. The protective sheath device of claim 3, wherein the deviceis sold in a one size fits all configuration.
 7. The protective sheathdevice of claim 3, wherein the device is made available in custom sizesto accommodate any user.
 8. The protective sheath device of claim 3,wherein the device is manufactured in a vast array of colors and featurethe logos and designs of various sporting teams and organizations.